The EUPHORIA Challenge

EUPHORIA is a project funded by the European Commission under the Fast Track to Innovation – a programme that enables excellent scientific research to make the transition to the market and the clinic.

EUPHORIA takes a novel imaging technology – Multi-Spectral Optoacoustic Tomography, or MSOT – and improves both its sensitivity and its effectiveness. It then demonstrates how well this enhanced technology can be used in the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

The challenge

IBD is a common, chronic condition, where patients suffer from repeated intestinal inflammation. IBD is diagnosed and monitored using invasive and uncomfortable endoscopies. Serious complications can arise from endoscopies. The unpleasant nature of this procedure places great burden on both patients and healthcare providers. Because endoscopies are rather unpleasant, they take place less often. This leads to delays in optimising treatment for the patient.

The solution

MSOT offers a better way. It enables rapid, simple and non-invasive monitoring of IBD, by shining several frequencies of laser light through the skin, and then interpreting how different tissues and inflammations respond to each light wavelength. The system generates ultrasound and optoacoustic images that clearly enable measurement of inflammation. Because it causes no discomfort, MSOT can be used more often, and thus has the potential to improve monitoring of patients in remission and during treatment.

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Patient Burden

Patient Burden

 MSOT is non-invasive – standard of care includes invasive diagnostics.

Cost

Cost

  Giving the right dose at the right time could ultimately reduce drug costs and side effects.

Physician Time

Physician Time

MSOT could save time and be easier to use.